With a runtime of 65 minutes this is the most complete version presently available. The other version here at IA is 9 minutes shorter with a 56 minute runtime.
Illicit lust, voodoo and a South American werebeast. (Okay, so it's a guy in a gorilla suit.) Stars uber-blonde Barbara Payton and Raymond Burr, supported by Lon Chaney and Tom Conway
Directed by Curt Siodmak Released in 1951 a.k.a. "The Face in the Water"
Reviewer:
lesle1
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 20, 2025 Subject:
burr at his best
7/10
Reviewer:
granddaddyo
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
February 24, 2022 Subject:
classic
This is one of those old horror classics that somehow got lost in the shuffle of time. Lon Chaney, Jr, is a little unbelievable as a native, but other
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than that everyone gives a fine performance. Great story.
Reviewer:
Poohbah70
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favoritefavoritefavorite -
June 19, 2019 Subject:
Okay Psychological Thriller With Murder and Giant Ape Thrown In
Enjoyable for the fine performances by all the actors, both principals and extras and the decent script and plot from writer/director Curt Siodmak. Yes,
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its a little hokey here and there and not a great film, but worth watching. This was my first film with the notorious Barbara Payton (Mrs. Dina Van Gelder / Mrs. Dina Chavez) who is a decent actor here: with her sensuously beautiful face and voluptuously attractive and alluring body, she enticed almost anyone in the film and just about did that in real life and, unfortunately, let her private passions ruin her career. For more on her see her IMDb bio and especially the Trivia section. Raymond Burr (Barney Chavez) is excellent here as Payton's lover and troubled second husband. Paul Cavanagh (Klaas Van Gelder), Tom Conway (Dr. Viet) and Gisela Werbisek (Al-Long) are all very good. Lon Chaney Jr. is barely acceptable as Police Commissioner Taro. You never see anything horrific in the film, only suggestion, but it is well done.
Reviewer:
bobsluckycat
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favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
February 23, 2014 Subject:
A Different Take On This Film
Put everything you think you know about this film to one side and just look at the piece objectively is all that I ask. Forget about the off-screen scandals
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and personalities of the players as we've come to know them and just look at what was actually filmed. Curt Siodmark was a remarkable writer of now classic horror films in the 1940's at Universal and RKO Radio Pictures and this is his film and his direction. It is also Raymond Burr's film as his acting in creating an illusion of insanity is a testament to his skills. He also is truly sensitive in scenes that require it. Barbara Payton could act and Siodmark brings it out. Chaney, Conway, and others in the cast also excellent in what they do and are subdued somewhat. Sets, music, and production values are very good for a low budget "jungle" picture such as it is. The point that I want to make is that this is a horror picture of the first order. The story is simple, but overlooked for the most part. For being the instrument which causes the death of his plantation owner boss, Burr's character is given a hallucinogenic drink from a forbidden and outlawed plant and everything he thinks is happening to him is all in his mind. His actions in this state, which are horrific, comes and goes. The mirror scene and the final reflection in the water gives this away. Other shots in the film seen through his eyes of his hands and so forth is just further proof that Siodmark is playing with your mind. I remember seeing this in the theatre way back when and at that time I wasn't old enough to understand all the adult ramifications as to the lust and adultery, but I thought it was a good jungle picture. Seeing it again just makes me appreciate it. all the more. The film has suffered over the years by cuts and by the off-screen goings on of some of the players and that can be distracting. Come to this with an open mind and enjoy a tidy little horror film. This version has superior picture and sound quality. Highly recommended. Enjoy.
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